EDITOR’S NOTE — This story has been updated to reflect statements made by parties involved after the story’s publication and may receive further updates.
LOGAN — In a letter sent to the Utah Board of Higher Education and the Utah State Board of Trustees, 111 current and former Utah State University athletes voiced their support for Amy Crosbie and Jerry Bovee, who were relieved of their positions at USU earlier this month. It also called for a third-party investigation into the firings.
Received a copy of this just now. 110 current and former Utah State athletes sign a letter of support for Jerry Bovee and Amy Crosbie. It was sent to the Utah Board of Higher Education & the Utah State Board of Trustees. It requests an independent investigation into the firings pic.twitter.com/wooDLKQkMe
— Jason Walker (@jwalker_sports) July 29, 2024
More than 110 current and former Utah State University student-athletes have signed a letter of support backing Amy Crosbie and Jerry Bovee.
“Throughout their time at the University, Mr. Bovee and Mrs. Crosbie have unquestionably kept student-athletes and their experiences at the forefront of their values and actions,” the letter said. “Their dismissal is a loss for current and future athletes and the whole of Utah State Athletics, a loss that will be felt immediately and moving forward.”
USU announced the termination of Bovee, who’d served as deputy athletics director, on July 2 simultaneous with the firings of Blake Anderson and Austin Albrecht. On July 8 it was confirmed that Crosbie had been fired from her role as the executive associate athletic director and senior woman administrator. According to Utah State, the firing of Bovee was for “for violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responsibilities.” USU has not provided a public statement on the dismissal of Crosbie, having only confirmed that it happened.
Among the signees of the letter are star athletes who are currently members of USU teams, such as Brianna Brooks, Ike Larsen, Adna Mehmedovic and Mason Falslev. Others are inductees into the Utah State University Athletics Hall of Fame, including Liz McArthur-Fisher, Gary Wilkinson, Tai Wesley and Erin Cartwright-Davis. Also included among signees is the famous Aggie supporter Bill “Wild Bill” Sproat.
In a press release regarding the letter, Wilkinson and Davis wrote in support of the two former administrators.
“I’ve known Amy Crosbie as a competitor, coach, friend, and admired leader in the Utah State athletic department,” Davis said. “Amy loves our Aggie athletes and has always worked to do what’s best for them. I’ve also been fortunate to spend time with Jerry Bovee. I know him as a man of high values who displays deep concern for the wellness of USU’s student-athletes. Our University needs people like Amy and Jerry. Their dismissal is devastating for the University and its student-athletes. Their departure leaves a huge hole that will be very difficult to fill.”
Davis starred for USU volleyball just after Crosbie, also a volleyball player for the Aggies, graduated from USU in 2001.
“While much remains unknown about the facts surrounding the termination of Jerry Bovee and Amy Crosbie, what I know for certain is that these two deserve better,” Wilkinson said. “I’ve known Jerry and Amy for many years. Their work ethic and integrity are beyond question. Seeing them treated this way raises serious questions about these decisions. I join with fellow current and former student-athletes in calling for this matter to be dealt with in a manner consistent with Aggie values. Jerry and Amy and all of us who love Utah State deserve better.”
Following the statements supporting Crosbie and Bovee, the signees called for an independent investigation.
“Their questionable dismissal also raises serious concerns about the entire process the University had undertaken that has resulted in the termination of multiple people,” the letter said. “We request the investigation be conducted by a third party that does not have any relationship with the University, the Athletics Department, or any University employee involved in their dismissal, including any relationship that existed with a University employee prior to their employment at the University.”
Although the list includes 111 names, at least one of the individuals whose name appeared on the list of current and former Aggies denied he’d ever given permission for the letter to include his name. Isaac Johnson, a center currently on the USU men’s basketball team, posted a story to his Instagram account late Monday evening regarding his inclusion in the letter.
“Aggie fans, I know there is a lot of hearsay out there right now about a signature. I would like to say this now, I never gave permission/consent for my name to be on any list. No matter what is being reported on, if my name is on it, it is false,” Johnson said. “Don’t get me wrong, I very much love and respect the people in our community which were affected, but if they want my name on a list they need to talk to me.”
